Comments on: Air Force Colonel Jacksel 'Jack' Broughton & Air Force General John D. 'Jack' Lavelle: Testing the Rules of Engagement During the Vietnam War http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sun, 19 May 2013 02:58:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Bill Ri http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-831045 Bill Ri Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:10:10 +0000 #comment-831045 Commander, I remember when all of us used to dump bombs on suspected truck parks, killing monkeys or logging combat time. And don't forget, as you marvel at today's pilots flying the F-18 the F-18 pilot's of today will envy the next generation of pilots. Before I went off to VN's Air War, my Dad would tell me that he's glad he does not have to face the threat of new war "stuff". And as I look forward from VN, I am glad I am not facing the new war "stuff" of today and the next generation will tell their kids the same thing. Thanks for your service. Fighter pukes of all generations are one in a million among good men. BR Commander, I remember when all of us used to dump bombs on suspected truck parks, killing monkeys or logging combat time. And don't forget, as you marvel at today's pilots flying the F-18 the F-18 pilot's of today will envy the next generation of pilots. Before I went off to VN's Air War, my Dad would tell me that he's glad he does not have to face the threat of new war "stuff". And as I look forward from VN, I am glad I am not facing the new war "stuff" of today and the next generation will tell their kids the same thing. Thanks for your service. Fighter pukes of all generations are one in a million among good men. BR

]]> By: CDR Russ Reese USN(Ret) http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-831035 CDR Russ Reese USN(Ret) Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:39:30 +0000 #comment-831035 Ive read Thud Ridge and Rupert Red Two twice and am amazed at what Jack Broughton did. I flew the A6A Intruder into Vietnam from the USS Enterprise in 1969 and because of the bombing halt just frittered away my bombs on night sorties onto "suspected Truck Parks". Jack Broughton flew right into the teeth of stuff that I never saw Whow! He was one tough dude! Even so, I silently cursed the Rules of Engagement for not allowing me to use the full potential of the A6 Intruder on worthwhile targets. I envy Capt Mark Kelly USN for the freedom he had to employ the A6E Intruder during the Iraq war;and am envious to the point of tears at the Navy Pilots who now fly the F-18. I can't image flying a plane that will accelerate straight up or that can pull 9 G's and not lose airspeed. Ive read Thud Ridge and Rupert Red Two twice and am amazed at what Jack Broughton did. I flew the A6A Intruder into Vietnam from the USS Enterprise in 1969 and because of the bombing halt just frittered away my bombs on night sorties onto "suspected Truck Parks". Jack Broughton flew right into the teeth of stuff that I never saw Whow! He was one tough dude! Even so, I silently cursed the Rules of Engagement for not allowing me to use the full potential of the A6 Intruder on worthwhile targets. I envy Capt Mark Kelly USN for the freedom he had to employ the A6E Intruder during the Iraq war;and am envious to the point of tears at the Navy Pilots who now fly the F-18. I can't image flying a plane that will accelerate straight up or that can pull 9 G's and not lose airspeed.

]]> By: Bill Ri http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-828853 Bill Ri Wed, 26 Dec 2012 03:52:34 +0000 #comment-828853 You must have fought the war from well behind the front lines. The further from the front lines the braver one gets. Given our ROE's from the cockpit, bring forth one Fn Zipper head that understands the business end of a 20mm cannon. He doesn't know what win means. You must have fought the war from well behind the front lines. The further from the front lines the braver one gets. Given our ROE's from the cockpit, bring forth one Fn Zipper head that understands the business end of a 20mm cannon. He doesn't know what win means.

]]> By: Rich Vezina http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-828849 Rich Vezina Wed, 26 Dec 2012 03:37:51 +0000 #comment-828849 You are only half correct. The politicians certainly helped the Vietnamese by their micro managing with their civilian weenies in DC. Read all of your hisory before you make statements that are not correct. I flew from Takhli, and I know what I went through. You are only half correct. The politicians certainly helped the Vietnamese by their micro managing with their civilian weenies in DC. Read all of your hisory before you make statements that are not correct. I flew from Takhli, and I know what I went through.

]]> By: Rich Vezina http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-828848 Rich Vezina Wed, 26 Dec 2012 03:32:46 +0000 #comment-828848 I could not have said it any better then you !!! Their day will come. I believe it!!! I could not have said it any better then you !!! Their day will come. I believe it!!!

]]> By: Dr. Tracy M. Baker http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-807251 Dr. Tracy M. Baker Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:15:52 +0000 #comment-807251 I am not a pilot, but read the stories of Col. Jack Broughton and Gen. Jack Lavelle with fascination. I have seen and heard the "politically correct" mentality till I am nauseated by it. That term did not exist in their time, but that is what it is about. I was active duty Air Force for a number of years and heard from my superiors about toeing the "party line", which disgusted me then and still does. Do you realize where that comes from? From our communist opponents in the Cold War! Is it aproppriate to use communist concepts in a Democracy? I state a vehement "NO"! I have come to realize that true leadership means NOT toeing the party line. True leadership means standing up for what is right and opposing what is wrong with all your heart and soul. This does not make you popular or necessarily ensure success. That was an incredibly hard lesson for me to learn. It is a lesson that was not taught in books, but by gut wrenching experience. The willingness to stand up and fight for right and against wrong is a simple concept, but this is what the great leaders of history have done, including Col. Broughton and Gen. Lavelle. It is sad they were not given the recognition that they deserved in thei lifetime. I am not a pilot, but read the stories of Col. Jack Broughton and Gen. Jack Lavelle with fascination. I have seen and heard the "politically correct" mentality till I am nauseated by it. That term did not exist in their time, but that is what it is about. I was active duty Air Force for a number of years and heard from my superiors about toeing the "party line", which disgusted me then and still does. Do you realize where that comes from? From our communist opponents in the Cold War! Is it aproppriate to use communist concepts in a Democracy? I state a vehement "NO"! I have come to realize that true leadership means NOT toeing the party line. True leadership means standing up for what is right and opposing what is wrong with all your heart and soul. This does not make you popular or necessarily ensure success. That was an incredibly hard lesson for me to learn. It is a lesson that was not taught in books, but by gut wrenching experience. The willingness to stand up and fight for right and against wrong is a simple concept, but this is what the great leaders of history have done, including Col. Broughton and Gen. Lavelle. It is sad they were not given the recognition that they deserved in thei lifetime.

]]> By: checky check http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-805464 checky check Mon, 28 May 2012 16:30:32 +0000 #comment-805464 Catherine, not so bad. You see, young men enjoy that type of living/action. It's the loved ones that suffer initially. The worst mental anguish and anger comes generations later when you realize Governments/politicians cause problems and war after war never resolves anything. I look back at VN, Iraq, Afghan, Clinton's, Bush's and Obama's Wars are a waste of time, resources and lives. I often think of the pain and suffering of those on the other side of the muzzle. Those that died on the other side of the muzzle have loved ones, kids, bothers, sisters and the like; they live with their losses as we in America live with the losses of our combat sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, Fathers....I think from a political stand point, it better change soon or Citizen USA will change it soon than later. Catherine, not so bad. You see, young men enjoy that type of living/action. It's the loved ones that suffer initially. The worst mental anguish and anger comes generations later when you realize Governments/politicians cause problems and war after war never resolves anything. I look back at VN, Iraq, Afghan, Clinton's, Bush's and Obama's Wars are a waste of time, resources and lives. I often think of the pain and suffering of those on the other side of the muzzle. Those that died on the other side of the muzzle have loved ones, kids, bothers, sisters and the like; they live with their losses as we in America live with the losses of our combat sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, Fathers….I think from a political stand point, it better change soon or Citizen USA will change it soon than later.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-805457 Catherine Mon, 28 May 2012 16:15:44 +0000 #comment-805457 Thank you to all who serve our country. I can't begin to imagine the difficulties and personal tradgedy that each went through. May God BLESS YOU! Thank you to all who serve our country. I can't begin to imagine the difficulties and personal tradgedy that each went through. May God BLESS YOU!

]]> By: checky check http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-805154 checky check Sun, 27 May 2012 04:45:39 +0000 #comment-805154 Dont know how many times we (back seater and self) exposed F4E gun camera film on the way back to Thailand after side line strafing sorties in and out of NV. The 2omm cannon cut a Chinese junk in half one day and remember seeing chunks of house coming off a NV coastal villa going feet wet. Dont know how many times we (back seater and self) exposed F4E gun camera film on the way back to Thailand after side line strafing sorties in and out of NV. The 2omm cannon cut a Chinese junk in half one day and remember seeing chunks of house coming off a NV coastal villa going feet wet.

]]> By: Staggs89 http://www.historynet.com/air-force-colonel-jacksel-jack-broughton-air-force-general-john-d-jack-lavelle-testing-the-rules-of-engagement-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-782220 Staggs89 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:30:02 +0000 #comment-782220 Thank you Jack Broughton for your candor in "Going Downtown"! It really opened my eyes to what was really happening to our fighter pilots over there! I share your utter disgust with the way you and others like you were treated by the Air force brass during the Vietnam war. God help us all! Thank you Jack Broughton for your candor in "Going Downtown"! It really opened my eyes to what was really happening to our fighter pilots over there! I share your utter disgust with the way you and others like you were treated by the Air force brass during the Vietnam war.

God help us all!

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